switchburn

Stubbs - 2.22.08

This past Friday I witnessed one of the best nights of Austin music I have been able to thoroughly enjoy in a long time. It was the CD release party for Austin’s own The Black and White Years. I was not only impressed with their performance, but the opening act Ume also blew me away.

I met the members of The Black and White Years about two weeks ago when we filmed and interviewed them about their upcoming self-titled debut album, which was produced by Jerry Harrison of the Talking heads. Psycho killer awesome anyone?

How can a band be disappointing if half of the group sports mustaches? You really can’t beat that. Having met The Black and White Years and gotten the opportunity to chat with them it was interesting to see how their dynamic changed once they got on stage. They are a group of witty, hilarious guys that seem to be obsessed with Project Runway and Lost. (What is going on in that show by the way?) Lead singer and rhythm guitarist Scott Butler almost transformed completely, looking almost deranged, during songs like “The Power to Change,” my favorite of the night FYI.

Landon Thompson, lead guitar and synthesizers, threw in some funky guitar riffs and solos, and just the right amount of synth power. These days a lot of bands strive for that electronic sound but don’t pull it off because they immerse the music in it, but The Black and White Years had the perfect mix.

The strong silent type of the group John Aldridge, was also the one laying down some of the funkiest make-you-want-to-dance bass lines I’ve heard in a while. The newest member of the group, Bill Pots, who claims to have done more interviews with the band than performances, kept everything on beat and even had some electronic drum pads that took it to another level when mixed with acoustic drums.

The band has been continuously compared to the Talking Heads, but I won’t be making that comparison again — listen to “A Wetter Sea,” and see for yourself. They describe themselves as Electro/Experimental/post punk on their website — throw in elements of reggae like in “Everyone” and you’ve got yourself a party.

When the band finished up with their “last” song, the crowd was aching for more. And The Black and White Years came back on to perform a 5 song encore. If that’s not commitment to the fans, then I don’t know what is.

Catch them at South by Southwest at their upcoming shows.

3/11 - Art Disaster at Beauty Bar w/ Belair, Bros and Sisters
3/12 - Mayor’s SXSW Welcoming Party
3/12 - Red Bull Party at the Moon Tower
3/13 - SXSW - Maggie Mae’s Gibson Room (Official Showcase)

Pictures courtesy of Valerie Frieman and Sonic Itch

The Black & White Years on Myspace
The Black & White Years Interview on switchburn
Talking Heads

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